The USC-Cal winner meets either Penn State (30-5) or Texas (27-5) in the final on Saturday.

— Barry Faulkner

Penewell honored

Newport Harbor High product Alex Penewell, a junior middle blocker at Montana State University, was named Newcomer of the Year in Big Sky Conference women's volleyball.

Penewell, who sat out last season after transferring from Colorado, where she played two seasons, averaged 1.46 kills per set and a team-best .73 blocks for the Bobcats. Her .212 hitting percentage was fourth best on the squad.